62 



COTTON PRODUCTION 



for the production of coarse materials from short- 

 stapled cotton. The result was that Indian growers 

 were unable to obtain higher prices for long-stapled 

 than for short-stapled kinds, and, as the latter gave 

 the larger yields, they naturally turned their attention 

 to these in preference to the superior varieties. The 

 advantages of the short-stapled cottons to the culti- 

 vators may be illustrated by reference to the sub- 

 stitution of Jari cotton for the superior Hinganghat 

 or Bani variety in the Central Provinces and Berar 

 (see page 67). The inferiority of Indian cotton is 

 also largely due to impoverishment of the soil and 

 lack of care in cultivation. In some parts of the 

 country, the seed is sown broadcast on land which 

 has had little or no preparation and is rarely, if ever, 

 weeded. In the best cotton tracts, however, such as 

 the Broach and Surat districts of Bombay, a more 

 careful system of cultivation is adopted. 



The cottons produced in India at the present 

 day are chiefly short-stapled, varying in length 

 from 0*5 inch to i inch, and for this reason are to a 

 great extent unsuitable for the Lancashire industry 

 as the machinery now in general use is particularly 

 adapted for cottons of longer staple, especially those 

 of the American Upland varieties which have a length 

 of one inch or more. The Indian cottons are, in 

 general, somewhat coarse, the average diameter 

 being about 0*00084 inch. 



The area devoted to cotton in India and the pro- 

 duction and exports during the years 1905-6 to 

 191314 are stated below. 



* In British India, excluding Native States, t Including crop of certain Native States. 



